Well, after the surprising success of the first in the Twisted Mirror saga, I am bringing the next one into the world! :)
So, why is it called the Twisted Mirror series? Well, it's a warped, twisted reflection on the various different CM characters. It seemed to fit. :) Most of them were easy to write the first time... Except Emily's and JJ's, as I couldn't think of a crime to suit them... That's why their's was terrible. :(
Anyways, this is a character focus on Hotch, and his descent into Darkness. I hope you enjoy it! :D Also, I aged Sean up by a couple of years ( 8 years to be precise) because there are some interactions in this story that would be harder to perform if Sean was younger.
Warnings: OOCness, Child Abuse (a bit of), self harm, Death, Maybe some graphic scenes. Triggers to anyone who has suffered any of this. Also, maybe one small inaccuracy? No sure about driving ages in US, so had a guess. If I'm wrong, I apologise.
Edit: Spotted a couple of typos.
Hotch is 8 years old.
"You're just a little piece of..." Hotch's father yelled, smacking Aaron in the face, "You don't take anything for granted, do you? You ungrateful..."
Aaron tried to wriggle away, tears streaming out of his eyes. He just wanted this all to stop, he just... he couldn't cope...
"You're crying, aren't you?" His father asked angrily, "You're weak, pathetic. You aren't strong at all, you don't deserve to be called my child!"
Aaron could see his mother standing in the kitchen, crying into her hands. But not trying to help him. Not even trying to stop the abuse.
He hated her. He hated him. He hated his life. He just wanted to get out of this.
When his father finally left him alone, instead going off to probably down another bottle of whiskey, Aaron ran up to his bedroom, and tried to stifle the tears. He had to be strong, emotionless, if he were to avoid the attentions of his father again.
Hotch is now 9 years old.
Aaron sat by the window, waiting for his mother and father to come home with his newborn brother.
He'd seen, hugged, loved his brother when they'd first met in the hospital. It wasn't fair that he had to be born and brought up in this household. What with an abusive, alcoholic father, and a distant mother, Sean wouldn't have a happy childhood.
Finally, his parents came in, holding Sean in their arms. Sean was taken upstairs, and Aaron followed, watching his parents put Sean into the cot by their bed. When they had left, Aaron sat by the cot.
"Hey there, little brother." Aaron smiled weakly, "I'm your big brother, Aaron. I promise that I will always protect you, keep you safe from our father's abuse. I don't want you to have the childhood I have had so far."
Sean smiled, gurgled happily, before streaching and falling asleep.
Aaron left the room, leaving his brother to dream. This might be his only oppertinuty to do so, before their father had a chance to abuse him.
Hotch is now 13 years old.
Aaron sat in the corner of the bathroom, a knife by his side, blood trickling out of a cut in his shoulder.
This was the worst abuse he had suffered in his whole life. All because he didn't get an A in maths, his father seriously assaulted him, calling him pathetic, useless, saying that he was the spawn of Satan, just because he liked guys as well as girls.
He lifted up the knife, aiming to cut himself again, draw his blood, stain the earth with it. He just wanted to end it all. He just wanted to die.
Aaron twitched, as the door opened, and his mother walked in. She stood still, shocked at how far her son had fallen.
"Is it because of what your father said?" She whispered quietly, hugging her crying son, getting a small bit of blood on her shirt.
Aaron nodded, and she stood up.
"This is the last straw." She muttered angrily, "I have been weak too long, too scared about suffering more abuse under my husband that I didn't once lift a finger to help either of my children. I am leaving, hopefully with both of them. I'll also call the police, get the scumbag of a husband into a prison cell for the rest of his wretched life."
She left the bathroom, and walked downstairs, so that she could access the on,y phone in the whole house, (and Mr Hotchner arranged that deliberately, so that he could prevent matters such as this from ever occurring without him knowing.)
Aaron could hear shouts downstairs soon afterwards. She must have been caught. An argument had erupted, the years worth of hate and abuse bubbling forth like an angry volcano of emotion.
This was the last time Aaron ever heard his mother.
And this was the catalyst for his descent into darkness.
Hotch is now 15 years old.
He'd been plotting for a while now.
Ever since his mother's disappearance. She been gone for two years now, and whilst the police had investigated, and suspected that Aaron's father have been involved, there was no hard evidence, and all leads eventually went cold.
Everyone gave up trying to find her,
And now his father had moved onto Sean. Beatings were almost weekly, if not daily, now in the household. Meanwhile, Aaron remained quiet, whilst plotting. Plotting his father's death, keeping his promise that he would protect his six year old brother.
He just had to wait until the summer holidays, just wait until they went out camping. Find a large stick, knock him out and then leave him for wild animals to eat. (Or die from the cold, whichever comes first)
Aaron had also worked out how to shift blame from both him and Sean- all he had to do was ring 911 and report his fathers disappearance in the woods. They'd hopefully find him dead, or not find him at all, and then they'd be free.
Three months later
It was all planned. Everything was ready. Bags were packed, and everyone was ready to go out on their annual holiday.
The car journey was mostly quiet, except for the occasional insult thrown at both children by their father.
And luckily for Aaron, his father had chosen to camp in densely forested area, Miles away from the nearest forms of human life.
It was the second night when Aaron carried out his plan. He had gone out with his father to collect wood for the fire.
"Son, you ain't carrying the logs right!" His father yelled angrily, "No matter how many times I have told you. You're pathetic!"
Aaron paused, before muttering, "I am holding the log right."
"No you're not!" His father snapped back, "How can you carry more logs if you hold logs as if they are clubs?"
"I never said that I was holding it in the correct position to carry a stack of them." Aaron replied, with a disturbing lack of emotion across his face.
His father's eyes widened, as Aaron edged closer and closer towards him, before wacking him on the head. He fell to the ground, and rolled down a steep slope into a ditch.
Part one complete.
Now, he just had to hide the truth from Sean.
Aaron walked around the forests surrounding the tent, spreading his footprints everywhere, which would help collaborate with his story. He discarded the log in a small stream, making sure that the evidence would be destroyed.
When he came back, he saw an American Black Bear sniffing around the ditch his father had fallen into. He then heard a couple of screams, and then silence. He looked at the bear, and saw that it was eating his father.
Perfect.
He couldn't be caught easily.
Five minutes later, Aaron approached the camp site, so a large stack of wood in his arms, where Sean was trying to sleep in the tent. He put the logs down, and then went into his brother's tent.
"Brother?" Sean asked, "What were those screams? Where's dad?"
Aaron pretended to be shocked, before stammering out a reply, "We went our own separate ways to find wood for the fire, he must have... We need to go out and look for him! Have you got your torch, Sean?"
Sean nodded, before they walked out into the forests, and after a couple of minutes of searching the forests, they found the ditch.
"Sean, you don't want to look down there. Dad is...dad is...dead" Aaron faked sobbing again, convincing his brother that he was sincere, and didn't know about their father's death.
After that, they both ran back to camp, and Aaron got the phone their father had brought, and they frantically dialled 911.
"911, what's your emergency?" The call operator asked.
"Dad...was...mauled by a bear. He's dead." Aaron acted devastated and shocked, whereas he was extremely happy and exited inside.
"Do you know where you are?" The woman asked.
"No, I don't." Aaron asked. That was the truth.
She then asked for him to hold the conversation, as they waited for the cops to trace the phone call back to where Aaron and Sean were, before going out and rescuing them.
And, half an hour later, that just happened. The cops came, investigated a bit, interviewed both Aaron and Sean, before investigating the crime scene.
Eventually, they came to a conclusion. Natural causes, not murder.
Aaron had got away with it.
Hotch is now 22 years old.
This was the day that Hotch met Haley for the first time.
It was at a small coffee shop, just outside of Harvard University (which Hotch had got a full scholarship to in order to study law, along with support to look after Sean). Hotch often visited there, because the cups of coffee made there were out of this world.
As he entered the door and stood in the queue, he saw a new waitress serving behind the till, eager to help another customer.
He recognised her. Haley Brooks, studies English in the faculties of Arts and Sciences, and part of the local drama group. Really nice woman, extremely popular and generally all round hard worker.
In truth, he had the hots for her.
Finally he was at the front of the queue, and right next to Haley.
"Good morning sir, what would you like today?" Haley smiled.
Hotch smiled back, "May I have an espresso with cream and one sugar? Also, are you new here? This is the first time I have seen you serving here."
She nodded, "Yes, I joined last week. This is my first day behind the till. Now, your order comes to $2.30"
After he found the cash needed, he paid Haley and waited till she served him his espresso. He then sat by the nearest table, completely smitten by her.
A week later, he heard that the drama company was looking for people, to act in pirates of Penzance. He immediately auditioned, hoping to see Haley again.
This was how he found himself as fourth pirate to Haley's Mabel, acting in front of a large crowd.
Hotch is now 26 years old.
He'd finished law school now, and was a junior prosecutor in the local courts. So far, several criminals, had been found guilty and had been imprisoned in jail- some for life terms, others to see the grim reaper.
It could have been him on trial. He could have been he one in jail. Luckily, for him, he'd never been caught by the cops, and was free to carry on with his life.
He was free to bring up his brother.
Sean was 15 now, and was studying at the local school. Hotch knew that his brother had a talent for cooking, and being a chef, but he wasn't keen on his brother going into that path. He wanted his little brother to be a lawyer, and have a much more secure future.
Hotch also knew of his brother's nightmares, about their father abusing them, the night of his death, the hell he had put them both through for much of their young lives. Hotch had told Sean to try and deal with it himself, be strong, and not allow their father to win from beyond the grave.
Sean, however, couldn't cope. He often cried himself to sleep, meaning that he had to take sleeping pills if he wanted a good night's sleep. He was withdrawn, sullen, not full of life like other 15 year old children. He couldn't, but he wanted to, forget everything.
The brothers were like two different people. Hotch at that age was full of anger, hatred at his father, and craved revenge like a drug addict craved the object of their desires. Sean, on the other hand, was depressed, and could never really trust anyone again.
Hotch is now 34 years old.
It had been a big case. A female serial killer had taken the lives of 29 people from Quantico city. It had taken the efforts of the BAU, and the deaths of two local cop. In order to bring her to Justice.
He was required to give an interview. A local journalist was eager to gather the points of view from everyone involved in the case.
She'd interviewed the serial killer herself a day prior, because she wanted to know why. Why would a primary school teacher stab twenty nine people to death over a one month period. The reason was that she just wanted to kill. See what it was like. See the life leave their eyes, and get their blood all over her hands.
He was distracted from his thoughts by a knock on his door. It was the journalist. He walked over to the door, and opened it.
"Haley?" He gasped, hugging her, "I haven't seen you in 12 years! You look amazing!"
"Aaron! It is so nice to see you." Haley smiled back, "You look well. So, the case. What is your opinion on the case. It's obvious that Anastasia Green is the murderer of Thomas Brown, Abigal Clarke..."
Haley listed the name of the other victims, giving Hotch time to form his reply. When she'd finished, she looked at him, waiting for his answer.
"I will say that the evidence and the witnesses I have will place Anastasia Green in jail or onto death row, where she'll remain for the rest of her life. I will bring Justice to the families of the 29 victims she killed. After this, they can heal, and try and move on with their lives." Hotch replied sincerely.
When the interview had finished, Haley and Hotch reminisced about their times at college, as well as promising to see each other again more often.
"Also, before you go, do you want to go out for drinks tonight?" Hotch asked, and Haley nodded in reply.
Hotch is now 37 years old.
"I, Aaron Samuel Hotchner, take you Haley Eve Brooks, to be my lawful,wedded wife." Hotch began, smiling happily. Today was his wedding day, the best day of his life, and the woman he loved stood in front of him.
"To have and to hold, from this day forward. For better for worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health." The vicar whispered in Hotch's ear.
Hotch repeated this, out loud, sealing his vow to protect, honour, cherish his wife. The woman he loved. He was going to treat her right. They would grow old, and die together, surrounded by their children and grandchildren.
It was then Haley's turn to give her vows. She gave her vows, just as sincerely and happily as Hotch had given his.
Behind him, Sean, his best man, smiled. Finally, his brother was getting married. Yeah, they hadn't talked much since he switched from a law to a cookery course at college, and after the drug disasters... Happily though, they had reestablisted contact two years ago, and they had been pretty close since. He was happy to be chosen not only as caterer during the reception, but also as the best man.
When the vows were given, and the rings exchanged, the priest pronounced the happy couple as husband and wife. Hotch kissed his new wife passionatly, to cheers and celebrations from everyone in the Church (bar the priest. He was too serious for that sort of stuff.)
Today was one of the greatest days of Hotch's life. It might not last, but he would always treasure this day for the rest of his life.
Hotch is now 41 years old.
He quickly drove his wife to the hospital, trying to ignore the screams being emitted from his wife's mouth.
They had been trying for a child for nearly four years, and now, the blessing, the bundle of joy was going to be coming soon. They didn't know the gender. All they knew was that the child was healthy and the birth didn't need the C-section. They were excited to be meeting their son soon.
Hotch's face fell. Traffic. Traffic that appeared to go on for Miles. He swore. If they didn't get to the hospital soon, then their child would be born in the car journey.
Waiting was hell. His wife's screams continued to echo throughout the car. Calm. Breathe in. And out. Breathe in. And out.
Finally the traffic cleared, and Hotch drove at just under the speed limit, desperate to try and get to the hospital as soon as possible.
After five minutes, they were finally at the hospital, and Hotch opened the door and dashed to the hospital, and grabbed the nearest nurse.
"My wife is giving birth in the back of my car. Please can you send some assistance?" Hotch asked politely.
The nurse mumbled, "Sure" and ran down the corridor, finding a midwife. The two women followed Hotch back to his car, and immediately they took control of the situation, calming Haley down, and helping the baby to be born.
Four hours later, the umbilical cord was being cut, and Haley was holding her newborn son Jack in her arms. Hotch was smiling, looking down at his son, his eyes full of love.
"Hey there little man." Hotch whispered in his child's ear, "You know we both love you very much, and we will protect you as best as we are able to."
Jack gurgled happily, and reached out for his dad's arms. Hotch held his son for the first time, and was in a state of bliss.
Hotch is now 44 years old.
Hotch knew that Haley was cheating on him. He worked hard for her, cherished her lots, but apparently he now wasn't good enough for her. She preferred her younger colleague in the Daily View, who was 'cute' and 'funny'.
It was sheer fluke that he discovered this. It was three months ago. He was sitting in the lounge as she went and had a shower, looking after Jack. The phone went off, and he picked it up, and looked at the text.
Sweetie, the date last night was really good. ;) You were good in bed. How about we go on another date in two weeks time, when Aaron isn't at home?- CR.
And, as a result, Hotch's mind turned back to the idea of murder. He was angry, furious that Haley had the cheek to cheat on him with a younger man. How long had this been going on for? Was his son even his biological child?
He kept quiet though. He didn't want to let on that he knew. Otherwise his plan may fail.
It was their anniversary soon, and they would be going to their favorite Japanese diner. Haley always ordered pufferfish there, as it was one of her favourite food there. He also knew that pufferfishes contained a high amount of a poison known as TTX, or tetrodotoxin.
He just had to get hold of the stuff, and wait for an opportunity when she went to the loos, and then he'd spike her food with the stuff. She would be dead several hours later. It would look like respiratory failure.
The day of their anniversary was nigh, and Hotch and Haley left Jack with their babysitter, before setting out to the diner. Hotch could feel the vial of TTX he'd brought from a rogue scientist (who worked with the mafia, but Hotch didn't know this at the time)
She sat down, and he sat opposite her, making sure that the CCTV cameras could not catch him doing the deed. They both pretended to be enjoying this, but neither of them were. She wanted to be with CR. He wanted to kill her.
They ordered their meals, and when the meals arrived five minutes later, Haley excused herself to go to the loos.
Hotch smiled, and waited to make sure no one was looking, before he poured it onto her meal.
When she came back, she apologised, kissing Hotch, before putting the poison into her mouth.
As the evening drew on, Haley became more ill, as the toxin spread throughout her body, paralysing her diaphragm. Hotch could see that she was becoming more ill, feigning concern and worry, as he asked if their was a doctor in the room.
He then dialled 911, pretending to panic as he said that his wife was dying in the Japanese diner. They said that they'd be coming soon.
By the time they arrived, Haley was dead. The chef who prepared the meal was sacked, because he hadn't prepared it correctly, and it was just passed off as an unfortunate accident.
Hotch was never blamed for her death.
Hotch is now 47 years old.
It had been three years since his last murder. Since then, he'd had more and more cases to work on, and he threw himself into the work easily.
He hated his home life though, hated his son, who looked so much like his mother. He had began abusing him, taking everything out on him. He didn't even other to think on the similarities between himself and his son, he just noticed the differences.
A folder sat in front of him on his desk. The new case involved a young man called Spencer Reid, who had been abducted by a Mr Charles Hankle, who had a son who worked for the BAU...Tobias his name was.
Tobias was the first profiler to realise who the kidnapper was, and had rushed to the scene, finding Spencer dead on the floor. He'd shot his father, knocking him unconscious, and gave Spencer CPR, saving his life.
It would be an easy case. Spencer's testimony was solid, the evidence screamed that it was Charles, and the BAU would also be providing evidence. That man would go easily onto death row.
However, Hotch realised that he had romantic feelings for the victim, and judging by Reid's behaviour, he felt the same way.
Maybe they could start dating once the case was over with and Charles was in jail?
Hotch smiled, before grabbing a cup of coffee, drinking it as he went over the files. He had to plan his prosecution against Charles.
And there we go! Hotch's backstory is now finished! Took me two weeks to write this!
Also edited the Premise, due to inconsistencies. There might be more, which I'll sort out over time. Thank you for reading, more will be on the way! :)
